UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh said the party was firm with its stand to endorse the decision of party leader Lahkmen Rymbui to relieve the home portfolio from him after the police killing of former HNLC general secretary Cherishterfield Thangkhiew on August 13.
“We saw what Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Rymbui’s resignation but our stand is the same as decided at the meeting of party leaders recently that we endorsed by the decision of Rymbui to relinquish the home portfolio,” Mawthoh told Highland Post yesterday.
Stating that party leaders are not privy to any new development on this matter, Mawthoh said that the party always wanted the right person for the right post, especially for such an important portfolio.
“Regardless of the reasons behind the August 13 episode the UDP strongly condemned the manner in which the life of Thangkhiew was taken,” Mawthoh said.
When asked about the Congress’ call to allies of the MDA Government to leave the government, Mawthoh said that it is natural for the opposition to see such an opportunity and make attempts to dislodge the government.
Stating that Meghalaya politics has always been about coalition, he said, “As per the mandate of the people the UDP had earlier aligned with the Congress and now with the NPP.”
“If we even talk about the number game, out of 60 seats the people voted only six of us in 2018 elections excluding the Ranikor by-election. So how much can we bargain for. In a government where there are 41 members even if the UDP leave the government there will still be 34 members supporting the government. The Congress has 17 members and if the seven UDP legislators aligned with them it will still be only 24,” Mawthoh said.
Maintaining that UDP was always for stability and respect of the mandate of the people, he said, “The UDP is not averse to any kind of combination provided the much-needed stability is maintained which is very important because if President’s Rule is imposed in the State, the people will again blame the UDP.”
Mawthoh also said that UDP with seven members in KHADC and seven others in the JHADC is also trying its best to provide stability with the present dispensations.
